Japan Q2 aluminium premiums set at $145-$148/T, up 61%-64% Q/Q, sources say

TOKYO, April 12 (Reuters) - The premiums for aluminium shipments to Japanese buyers for April to June were set at $145-$148 per metric ton, up 61%-64% from the previous quarter, driven by tighter supply in Asia, six sources directly involved in pricing talks said.

The figures were higher than the $90 per ton paid in January to March and fell at the lower end of the initial offers of $145-$155 made by producers.

Japan is Asia's major importer of the light metal and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Kim Coghill)